Speaking on Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said the planned referendums were against the law. “Switzerland will not recognise the results of such referendums because they violate territorial integrity, which is an integral part of the UN Charter,” Cassis told journalists. “We invite Russia to refrain from such sham referendums.”
Cassis had already rebuked Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and called on Moscow to end the war immediately. Later on Wednesday he was also due to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the margins of the Assembly, where he planned to raise the latest “provocations” of Vladmir Putin and urge Lavrov to “step back from a further escalation of this terrible war”, as Cassis told journalists.
Switzerland would not participate militarily in the ongoing conflict, but neutrality does not mean indifference or lack of solidarity, Cassis had said in his speech to the Assembly on Tuesday. “We are committed to upholding the principles of freedom, democracy and the rule of law – values that are enshrined in our federal constitution,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced a partial military mobilisation of reservists, leading to fears that the war could escalate. This comes after Russian-backed officials announced plans for urgent referendums in four regions of Ukraine currently controlled by Russia. Administrations in Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia say the referendums on joining Russia will begin this Friday.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
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The Fribourg parliament approved a sum of CHF6.4 million to renovate the ramparts, the walkway and the towers, as well as to replace the exterior lighting.
Swiss rental housing listings increase for the first time in three years
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For the first time in three years, the number of advertisements for rental accommodation is on the rise, but this does not dampen demand, quite the contrary. In Ticino, the average duration of an advertisement published on the main portals is 30 days.
Switzerland doing relatively well when it comes to child vaccination rates
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Progress in child immunisation has stalled. For decades, the number of children vaccinated against measles, polio and other diseases has risen. But since 2010, vaccination rates have stagnated in many countries, according to a study.
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Human remains were found and recovered on Tuesday as part of a search operation in the buried Valais mountain village of Blatten. Formal identification is underway, according to the Valais cantonal police.
Switzerland and the EU sign declaration on transitional arrangements
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They set out the terms of cooperation for the period until the desired entry into force of the package of bilateral agreements.
Swiss price watchdog negotiates lower fees for card payments
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Small businesses in Switzerland will have to pay fewer fees for cashless payments from customers over the next few years.
Lakes in Central Switzerland have best water quality for bathing
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Anyone who swims in a lake in Central Switzerland need have no fear of infection from intestinal bacteria. The water samples taken at 65 bathing sites in 13 lakes all have good to excellent bathing water quality.
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Unknown assailants have stolen a historic ring from a Basel museum. The stolen item was a gift from Russian Tsar Alexander I to his host in Basel in 1814.
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Switzerland will push for Security Council reform, minister tells UN
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By becoming a member of the United Nations Security Council, Switzerland will work for peace and UN reform, says minister.
Russia says Switzerland cannot represent its interests in Ukraine
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Russia has said Switzerland cannot represent Ukrainian interests in Russia and Moscow’s interests in Ukraine because it is no longer neutral.
Switzerland listed as ‘unfriendly’ country by Russia
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Moscow published the list on Monday after being hit by Western financial sanctions. All corporate deals with companies and individuals from the so-called “unfriendly countries” now have to be approved by a government commission, according to Reuters. The list follows a presidential decree on March 5 allowing the Russian government, companies and citizens to temporarily…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.